Originally posted by Brian Prunka
Everyone's suggestions here are good. I'd like to add a few more, from various teachers (oud and cello):
always try to play in tune--you are training your fingers where to go every time you play.
both the position of your finger AND the angle at which it touches the string affect the intonation. It's much easier to play in tune if you
keep the angle consistent and shift the position along the string than if your constantly changing both. So, if you play a note out of tune,
don't correct it by altering the angle of your finger/hand. Move your finger to the correct position.
Also, a good habit is to keep your fingers close to the strings at all times; this is not only good for speed, but keeps them in the right position
for the notes to be in tune.
be aware that wherever your first (index) finger is will determine the intonation of all your fingers. This is why all position shifts should be
thought of in relation to where your first finger is.
note the difference between a finger extension and a position shift; i.e., a finger extension (even with the first finger) keeps all the fingers in
position except the one being extended. A position shift moves the first finger and all the others proportionally.
I would also suggest, for the ear training part, that you sing along with an open string. Play the open string, and progressively try to sing
unisons, 8vas, P5ths, M3rds, P4ths, m3rds, etc.
Your voice and ear will gravitate toward the correct intonation.
While the quarter-tones and microtonal subtleties take more time & listening, the basic intervals are essentially the same.
A good way of practicing the quarter-tones is to surround them with regular notes. e.g., C D F E1/2b, or D G F E1/2b. This way you have all the other
notes in tune, and can focus on getting the half-flat note. You can repeat the exercise with natural and flat notes, if you want to compare.
I found these suggestions very helpful . . . hope others do, too.
btw, Roy--your experience sounds just like mine. I wonder how many other jazz guitar/oudis are out there? |